Frank Howard Kirby
Corporal, Royal Engineers
- Register No.
- 698 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- Royal Engineers all Corps of Royal Engineers VCs →
- Date of action
- 2 June 1900 on this day → all of 1900 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Boer War
- London Gazette
- 5th October 1900 on this day → all of 1900 →
- Born
- 12th November 1871 at Thame, Oxfordshire
- Died
- 8th July 1956 at Sidcup, Kent
- Memorial / grave
- Chatham Garrison Church, Kent
Digest of citation
On 2nd June, 1900, near Delagoa Bay Railway, South Africa during the retirement of a small party being hotly pressed by superior numbers of the enemy, Corporal Kirby rode back to aid a man whose horse had been shot and was running after his comrades. By the time he reached the man they were under very heavy fire at close range. Corporal Kirby managed to get the man up on his horse and rode clear of the firing over the next rise there was held by our rearguard. Corporal Kirby had shown great gallantry in the face of the enemy for the third time
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
KIRBY, Frank Howard. (reg No. 698).
Corporal. Royal Engineers.
London Gazetted on 5th October 1900.
Born on 12th November 1871 at Thame, Oxfordshire.
Died on 8th July 1956 at Sidcup, Kent.
Memorial at Chatham Garrison Church, Kent.
Digest of Citation reads: On 2nd June, 1900, near Delagoa Bay Railway, South Africa during the retirement of a small party being hotly pressed by superior numbers of the enemy, Corporal Kirby rode back to aid a man whose horse had been shot and was running after his comrades. By the time he reached the man they were under very heavy fire at close range. Corporal Kirby managed to get the man up on his horse and rode clear of the firing over the next rise there was held by our rearguard. Corporal Kirby had shown great gallantry in the face of the enemy for the third time.
Additional information: Lieutenant Colonel Kirby was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). He also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). F H Kirby was the son of Mr William Henry and Ada Kirby of Thame in Oxfordshire. He was educated at Alleyn's School, Dulwich, London. On 8th August 1892 he enlisted in the Royal Engineers at St George's Barracks, London and was sent to South Africa in 1899. He served in the South African War until 19 02, gaining the DCM for blowing up the Bloemfontein Railway, in March 1900. He won the VC during a raid north of Kronstadt under General Hunter Weston. He was mentioned several times in Despatches. In July 1900 he was promoted in the field by Lord Roberts to Troop Sergeant-Major (direct from corporal). On 19th August 1901 he was presented with the Victoria Cross by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York at a ceremony in Cape Town. In 1906 he became a Warrant Officer. He married a Miss Kate Jolly in 1909 and they had two sons and two daughters. He was commissioned from the ranks in April 1911. Lieutenant Kirby was posted to the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers stationed at Farnborough and in 1912 was gazetted to to the Royal Flying Corps, becoming a Squadron Commander. He served in the European War (WWI) in 1916-17. He was given his captaincy in the field and was later promoted to temporary Lieutenant-Colonel.
Additional information
Lieutenant Colonel Kirby was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). He also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). F H Kirby was the son of Mr William Henry and Ada Kirby of Thame in Oxfordshire. He was educated at Alleyn's School, Dulwich, London. On 8th August 1892 he enlisted in the Royal Engineers at St George's Barracks, London and was sent to South Africa in 1899. He served in the South African War until 19 02, gaining the DCM for blowing up the Bloemfontein Railway, in March 1900. He won the VC during a raid north of Kronstadt under General Hunter Weston. He was mentioned several times in Despatches. In July 1900 he was promoted in the field by Lord Roberts to Troop Sergeant-Major (direct from corporal). On 19th August 1901 he was presented with the Victoria Cross by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York at a ceremony in Cape Town. In 1906 he became a Warrant Officer. He married a Miss Kate Jolly in 1909 and they had two sons and two daughters. He was commissioned from the ranks in April 1911. Lieutenant Kirby was posted to the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers stationed at Farnborough and in 1912 was gazetted to to the Royal Flying Corps, becoming a Squadron Commander. He served in the European War (WWI) in 1916-17. He was given his captaincy in the field and was later promoted to temporary Lieutenant-Colonel.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Chatham Garrison Church, Kent
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Frank Howard Kirby by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.